Sandy Palmer at Vermont Real Estate Company

05/24/2025

Hey!! My listing was featured on For The Love Of Old Houses! 😍😍😍

03/27/2025

03/24/2025

🏡 What’s your ideal home exterior—classic & timeless or bold & vibrant?

04/30/2024

Busting Myths, Building Knowledge: Dive into the 3 biggest myths about the housing market and discover the truths that lie beneath. From market timing perfection to the one-size-fits-all advice, it's time to separate fact from fiction and make informed decisions. Let's debunk these myths together and pave the way for smarter investments and sustainable living.

04/28/2024

Unlocking Value with Precision: An appraisal is a professional and objective evaluation of an item's worth or property's value. Whether it's for insurance, sale, or purchase, understanding an appraisal's role can guide critical decisions, ensuring fair transactions and peace of mind. Dive into the world where expertise meets value.

04/26/2024

We typically think home buying is all about square footage and bed/bath count...

And it is certainly the starting point! But these days, I’m hearing from buyers who are in search of a few extras.

Here’s a snapshot of what buyers are asking for in their search right now:

Home Office Spaces: The percentage of U.S. companies offering flexibility increased from 51% at the start of 2023 to 62% around November. _– Forbes _ With remote work still going strong, a dedicated (and quiet!) workspace is a must for many.

Outdoor escapes: Private yards, access to parks and trails, or even balconies for apartment dwellers are in high demand. Since 2020, the number of people who spend time in nature has increased by more than 25%, according to the 2022 Outdoor Participation Trends Report.

Energy efficient upgrades: Lower utility bills *and* kinder to the environment - sign buyers up! Energy-star appliances, solar panels, and high-efficiency windows are increasingly sought-after features.

Move-in ready condition: Minimizing upkeep and maintenance is a big plus — especially for my young families and empty nest buyers.

Open layout: No matter what they say, buyers still love those open floor plans with easy flow from kitchen to living rooms. “Our lifestyles have become less formal than previous generations, and open-concept floor plans were popularized as a more casual way of living.” – Lindsay Speace, Interior Designer (Better Homes & Gardens)

If you're thinking about selling, send me a message. I can help match your home's features to the wants of my buyers!

04/24/2024

According to data gathered by Altos Research, 2024 is shaping up to be a promising year in the housing market.

In fact, it's been a strong start already, with growing demand each week and an impressive 15% growth in home sales on the horizon.

As you might expect, an uptick in demand means an increase in inventory and even a slight bump in prices. Sellers are catching on and upping their activity. But remember, inventory growth can vary regionally depending on location.

So, let's talk specifics.

Here in Missoula, we’re seeing a *13% increase* in new contracts - that's significant. Coupled with fewer price reductions and a *rising median price of $418,000,* all the signs are pointing towards a potential 3-5% average increase nationally.

That said, I'm all about helping you translate these trends into smart moves.

04/22/2024

It's time to go *Boujie on a Budget*
In all my time real-estating, I've seen some impactful upgrades that give the homes a fresh look AND are easy on the wallet.
These are a few of my favorites:
• Replace faucets and cabinet hardware. Estimated cost: $150-$400 for a kitchen faucet and $5-$25 per cabinet pull.
• Upgrade door k***s and hardware. Estimated cost: $28 per passage door and $31 per privacy lock.
• Swap builder-grade switch plates for decorative ones. Estimated cost: $5-25 per plate, depending on style.
• Refresh rugs. Check out Rugs USA or Loloi on Amazon. Both sites partner with designers, like Rifle Paper Co and Arvin Olano for elevated looks. Estimated cost: $189 for a 5x8 rug.
I'm a huge proponent of making small changed that go a lonnnng way.
Want more tips about small projects with big impact? Reach out - I’ll share what I’m seeing local DIYers take on these days.

04/20/2024

Baby Boomers own 28% of large homes (despite being empty nesters) while Millennials with children own only 14%.
If you're considering downsizing, this could be golden news for you.
The reality is, a significant chunk of our market is hungry for the kind of home you may be thinking of saying goodbye to. With that in mind, here are three more ways to make downsizing work given the real estate landscape in our market.

Utilize digital storage.

Now’s the time to digitize those important documents, photos, and other sentimental items to save physical space. Invest in external hard drives or cloud storage (like Google Drive or DropBox) to store digital files securely. And if you're not sure how to do it yourself, services like LegacyBox or EverPresent can help.

Trade the oversized furniture for slim and multi-functional.

Choose furniture that serves multiple purposes to maximize your new space. Look for sofa beds, folding tables, and modular storage solutions that can serve multiple functions.

Toss the kitchen “fluff.”

There’s no better place to free up some serious space than in the kitchen. Do you need a breakfast sandwich maker, a cake-pop maker, two Instapots, and a backup air fryer? Take a no-nonsense look at your gadgets and appliances, and only keep the ones you use most.
Remember, downsizing isn’t just about letting go of possessions; it's about gaining freedom, space, and peace of mind.
Thinking of making the move? I've put together a comprehensive guide to buying and selling simultaneously, ensuring you don't miss a beat in this seller's market. Comment "downsize" and I'll send over your copy!

04/18/2024

The secret to saving on closing costs when buying?
It might be hiding in plain sight.
I've stumbled upon a little trick of the trade that’s too good not to share.
Here's the secret: Days on market.
When a home sits on the market for a longer period, sellers are often motivated to seal the deal.
Here's your tip: Look for homes that have been listed for more than 30 days to uncover potential opportunities. By targeting these properties, you could snag a great deal and ease your worries about closing costs.
Looking for more hidden tips to help you secure your next home without breaking the bank? Grab some time on my calendar and let's chat!

04/16/2024

Make money while saving up for a down payment??
Yes, it's possible! And it's free, no-risk and you can withdraw the funds any time.
Here's the breakdown:
Compare keeping $50,000 in a regular checking account versus stashing it in a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) like SoFi, which offers an impressive 4.6% interest rate (at the time of sharing this post).
After 5 years, that $50,000 in a checking account might barely keep pace with inflation, while the same amount in a HYSA could potentially grow to over $60,000!
Plus, here's the kicker: HYSA deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000, so your money is safe and protected until you need it.
Don't let your money sit idly in a checking account when it could be working for you.
Drop me a message and I'll send over my favorite HYSA available today.